League Player News

Latimer will test the open market after the Broncos allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

Analysis: The Broncos selected Latimer in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft in an attempt to go all-in on a then-Peyton-Manning-led offense, which also featured Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) and Julius Thomas (foot) at that time. However, the Indiana product never came close to living up to his pedigree, totaling just 16 receptions for 158 yards and one touchdown over his first three seasons while presumably retaining a roster spot because of his willingness to play on special teams. It will be interesting to see if another organization views him as a diamond in the rough with respect to his receiving ability.

The extension Chung signed Saturday is worth two years and will keep him in New England through the 2020 season, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

Analysis: Chung has been a mainstay in the Patriots secondary since New England selected him in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He'll be 31 years old at the start of the 2018 campaign, but his advanced age is yet to show in the stat sheets considering he's averaged 86.3 tackles over the past four years while notching at least seven pass breakups in three of those four seasons. Chung will remain on the IDP radar so long as he holds his grip on his starting job throughout the remainder of the offseason.

Jordan (foot) is no longer wearing any protective equipment on his surgically-repaired left foot, Joel Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate reports.

Analysis: Jordan underwent offseason surgery to remove a bone spur in his left foot. While this is an injury that has reportedly bothered Jordan for the better part of two years now, the corrective procedure he recently underwent is still considered to be a minor operation. The 2017 first-team All-Pro should be back to normal well in advance of training camp and could possibly take part in offseason workouts as well.

Ward (knee) wants to continue his playing career in 2018, Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM Denver reports.

Analysis: The Buccaneers let Ward walk after the 31-year-old played the 2017 season under a one-year contract, racking up 43 tackles and three pass breakups across 12 games in a part-time role. It's true his play has slipped since his Pro Bowl days with the Broncos from 2013 to 2015, but Ward could still have something left in the tank and it's not advised to completely write him off in IDP formats quite yet. However, complicating his ability to sign with a team this offseason is the fact that Ward was arrested in January on a felony count of marijuana possession and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matakevich (shoulder) hopes to be fully recovered in time for offseason workouts, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: Matakevich underwent surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Even with Ryan Shazier (spine) ruled out for the entire 2018 season, a healthy Matakevich isn't considered a realistic candidate to step into the first-string lineup following the Steelers' signing of Jon Bostic to step in next to incumbent starter Vince Williams.